anthro class

anthro mini online lec. c'td [ regurgitation of today's learning]

agenda:
language syntax
characteristics of language [ word elments, affix, gender, no. agreement, subject/object etc.]
language n thought [ Benjamin Lee Whorf]
charactization in language

Introducing Benjamin Lee Whorf, who introduced the Whorf Hypothesis - that language influences/determines thought
The focus of Benjamin's study was Hopi Language, in which there is no past/present/future tense, only complelted/uncompleted. And he theorized that their language influenced their world view. That they don't see the world as linear, but cyclic, some manifestation in Hopi mythology. However, the assumption this hypothesis was based upon - that language n thought are two SEPARATE things is flawed. [ and in face whether it's a HYPOTHESIS in the first place is yet to be argued, some think not coz there're no citations n somehow unscientific]

Have you ever tried to think without language? Honestly speaking, i think it's difficult for me. Even when i thought there was no word, just images flashing past at the back of my mind, the truth was not quite as what i remembered it to be. That language does influence thought. Does thought influence language? and How do you define thought? Note that thought is different from 'perception'. Which comes first, chicken or egg?

On Benjamin Lee Whorf
Whorf

and Chomsky's rebuttal on Whorf hypothesis
Excerpts

Dear readers!
INTUITIVELY, put down the below listed words into either 'reason' or 'passion' category, do it on impulse. Don't overwork your brain.
earth
heaven
man
mountain
woman
desert
car
apple
creation
completion

and check back one week later for analysis.